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Introduction
Kanchipuram, celebrated today as the City of a Thousand Temples and one of Hinduism’s seven sacred Moksha-puris, holds another, lesser-known identity. In ancient times, it was also a flourishing Buddhist pilgrimage and learning centre, revered across Asia. Though its Buddhist monuments no longer stand, historical texts, inscriptions, and travelers’ accounts remind us of Kanchipuram’s role as a vibrant hub of Buddhist philosophy and spirituality.
Buddhism in Kanchipuram: Ancient Roots
- Ashokan Influence: The spread of Buddhism into South India during the Mauryan emperor Ashoka’s reign (3rd century BCE) brought Kanchipuram into the Buddhist fold. Viharas and stupas were established, and the city quickly gained prominence.
- Meeting Point of Faiths: Alongside Shaivism and Vaishnavism, Jainism and Buddhism thrived here, making Kanchipuram a crossroads of spiritual traditions.
Xuanzang’s Testimony
The 7th-century Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hsüan-tsang) visited Kanchipuram and described it in his travel accounts as a prosperous Buddhist centre with thousands of monks and several monasteries. His writings are invaluable in reconstructing the Buddhist history of the city.
Great Scholars and Philosophers
- Dharmapala, an eminent Buddhist scholar, is believed to have taught in Kanchipuram, spreading Mahayana Buddhist thought.
- Nagarjuna, the famous Madhyamaka philosopher, is also linked with Kanchipuram in some traditions. His deep philosophical contributions made the city a magnet for seekers of Buddhist wisdom.
Pallava Patronage
The Pallava dynasty (4th–9th centuries CE), known for its Hindu temples, also extended support to Buddhist institutions. Under their patronage, monasteries prospered, and Kanchipuram gained recognition as a centre of Buddhist studies for scholars from India and abroad.
Decline of Buddhism in Kanchipuram
Over time, the gradual decline of Buddhism in South India, coupled with the rise of strong Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions, led to the disappearance of Buddhist structures. The Kamakshi temple and other great shrines became the visible face of Kanchipuram’s spiritual life, overshadowing its Buddhist past.
Present-Day Significance for Buddhists
- Though no standing Buddhist monuments remain in Kanchipuram today, the city is revered historically by Buddhists as a site of learning and pilgrimage.
- The memories of Xuanzang’s accounts, inscriptions, and legends of Buddhist scholars keep alive Kanchipuram’s Buddhist dimension.
- For pilgrims tracing the journey of Buddhism across India, Kanchipuram represents a chapter of South Indian Buddhist history that once connected India with other parts of Asia.
Legacy of a Multi-Religious City
Kanchipuram’s Buddhist past reflects the city’s pluralistic heritage, where Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions coexisted and enriched one another. The vanished monasteries may be invisible, but their philosophical influence endures in texts and traditions that spread far beyond India’s borders.
✨ In essence: Kanchipuram is not only a jewel of Hindu spirituality but also a forgotten Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the echoes of monks, philosophers, and seekers once resonated across ancient South India.
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